Efficacy, Safety and Patient Preference of Knotted Floss Technique in Type II Gingival Embrasures.

Purpose: The purpose of this crossover clinical trial was to compare the changes in scores of plaque biofilm accumulation, gingival inflammation, gingival bleeding and gingival trauma in patients who used conventional flossing (CFt), knotted floss (KFt) and an interdental brush (IBt) for 6-weeks each in Type II gingival embrasures.Methods: Sixty healthy, tooth-brushing adults with at least one Type II gingival embrasure were randomly assigned to perform any of above interdental cleaning techniques in each phase of six weeks. Crossover to another technique was undertaken after washout of 2 weeks. Test-sites were scored at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks for Rustogi Modification of Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI), Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Modified Papillary Bleeding Index (MPBI), and Carter-Hanson scoring for gingival trauma. Acceptability of each technique was evaluated by subjects' responses to the post-trial questionnaire.Results: Analysis of data showed a significant improvement in RMNPI, MGl and MPBI scores within all three groups over the time-period of 6-weeks from baseline. RMNPI and MGI scores were significantly more in the CFt group when compared to KFt and IBt and there was no difference in KFt and IBt. Additionally, no significant gingival trauma was recorded in any test group. Equal percentages of participants selected KFt or IBt for its ability to clean and preference to continue to use.Conclusion: Use of a KFt and IBt are statistically similar in safety and efficacy for reducing plaque biofilm accumulation, gingival inflammation, and bleeding in Type II gingival embrasures, when either is used as an interdental cleaning aid in conjunction with regular tooth-brushing. KFt and IBt demonstrated better efficacy than CFt.

Efficacy, Safety and Patient Preference of Knotted Floss Technique in Type I Gingival Embrasures.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the knotted floss (KF) technique with respect to plaque biofilm accumulation, gingival inflammation, bleeding, trauma, and patient preference when used in Type I gingival embrasures, in a crossover-comparison with a conventional flossing (CF) technique.Methods: Thirty healthy, non-flossing adults with at least one Type I gingival embrasure participated in this two-treatment-phase, crossover study. Each subject was randomly assigned to perform either KF or CF technique in the first 6-weeks, and the comparative technique in the second 6-weeks, with a 2-week washout phase in-between. Test-sites were scored at baseline, 2-weeks, 4-weeks, and 6-weeks using the Rustogi Modification of Navy Plaque Index (RMNPI), Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Modified Papillary Bleeding Index (MPBI), and the Carter-Hanson et al., scoring method for gingival trauma. A 3-factor analysis of variance was performed on the data to rule out treatment sequencing as a significant factor. Data was analyzed for differences between groups at respective time points using the student t-test and the paired t-test was used for changes within groups over time (p ≤ 0.05).Results: Analysis of data showed a statistically significant improvement in RMNPI, MGl and MPBI scores within both flossing groups over the period of 6-weeks from baseline. The RMNPI scores were significantly less in the KF group at 2, 4, and 6 weeks when compared to the scores between the KF and CF treatment groups. No significant gingival trauma was recorded in either treatment group. Seventy-five percent of the subjects completing the study, chose KF when asked about their preferred flossing technique with respect to its ability to clean interdentally, while 71% chose KF as the flossing technique that they were willing to continue to use.Conclusion: KF is as effective and safe as an inter-dental oral hygiene technique for reducing plaque biofilm and gingival inflammation and bleeding, as compared to CF in Type I gingival embrasures, when both were used in conjunction with regular tooth-brushing. KF was shown to be better than CF in in terms of improved plaque biofilm scores.

Osteochondroma of the glenoid fossa--a case report.

Osteochondroma of the facial skeleton is a rare tumour that is usually managed by maxillofacial surgeons. In countries where this service is not available, or is provided by inexperienced surgeons, the management is difficult. We describe a case of osteochondroma of the glenoid fossa that was managed by surgeons with experience in temporomandibular surgery.

Persistence and lateral movement of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and picloram on power line rights-of-way.

Soil persistence and lateral movement of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) and picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) were examined following their application as a stem-foliage spray for brush control on two power line rights-of-way. Ditches to collect runoff water were located 3, 10, 20, and 30 m downslope from the treated areas. Runoff water and soil samples were collected after 0.14, 0.43, 0.57, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 15, 16, and 48 weeks and were analyzed for picloram and 2,4-D residues. Only 3 of 85 soil samples downslope from the target areas contained residues of 2,4-D, and only 1 of 85 down slope samples contained a detectable residue of picloram. Of 56 runoff water samples, only 11 contained 2,4-D residues and only 1 contained residues of picloram. The greatest distances down-slope at which residues were detected in runoff water were 20 and 10 m for 2,4-D and picloram, respectively. No residues of either herbicide were recovered in soil or water at 15 weeks or 48 weeks after spraying. Despite normal rainfall frequency and amounts in the first several weeks after spraying in mid-June, significant runoff of either herbicide was not evident at either study site.